TC Encore Barrel length: 7mm-08 & whitetail deer

[Mawgie]

Folks -

I live in Upstate NY, and am currently slogging through the paperwork to get my pistol permit.  When I do, my present TC Encore set up, a 3" 20 gauge rilfed barrel, which likes Winchester Supreme slugs best, at a painful $2.00-$2.50 per shell!, will be replaced with a pistol barrel: probably a 7mm-08, to be used primarily for treestand deer hunting.

I'd like to lug as compact a gun as possible, and still reach out to 150 yards, doing my part with practice and proper rest techniques.  

Can I get by with a 12" barrel, a 10", or do I need a 15"?  This barrel will not be ported or braked, too much noise for me.  Also, I am planning to buy a factory barrel, at least to start.  $195 or so makes for an inexpensive upgrade to handgun hunting.

My idea of a good group at the range is 1" at a 100 yards.  I'd like the pistol set up to do that with a short barrel, to ease carrying while I am lugging my treestand.

Thanks for any input.

Regards-Mawgie

[jhalcott]

I have killed deer with a 14" 6.5jdj and a 15" 7br and other calibers at 150+ yards.If you are sitting in a stand you will probably have some kind of rest for your gun.The longer barrel gets the nod.For walking around,the shorter one will be easier to use with out a scope.Can you get a 'factory " barrel of 10-12 inches.? Consider a 10-12" 7BR barrel? You will get less velocity loss than the 7-08 in the same barrel. The 7br will kill a deer past 150 yards.With less recoil than the 7-08. 7-08 Factory loads will give a lot of muzzle flash in the short barrels because all the powder can't burn(doesn't usually).
  Personally, I'd go with a 15",variable power scoped 7-08 because I might want to shoot a deer farther than 150 yds, or BIGGER than average.I can ALWAYS load it down :wink: The difference in the weight of the barrels is only a couple ounces,the difference in performance is lots more.  jh

[KYODE]

i like the 15" for better velocity, but you could get by with a shorter barrel i'm sure.  jhalcott mentioned the 7br, and i agree. in a shorter barrel it would be great also. just an idea :idea:  get the 15 incher, use it this season, and if you don't like it, have it cut down next season and recrowned. of course, you'd have a little extra money in it that way also. just my opinion, but 3 more inches of barrel wouldn't be that much harder to pack. :wink:

[Duffy]

Like Jhalcott said I would stay with the 15" in the 708. It keeps the blast down and gives you a little more vel, plus 150 yards shouldn't be a problem if you do your part and have a good rest.  A good load and proper bbl break in should give you 1-2" groups @ 100 yards with no problem and possably less.
My worst group with my best load was while standing up shooting free hand waving in the wind like a scarecrow and it was around 3-4 inches for 3 rounds @ 100 with a 2X scope. My best is .70
Also if you can look at the bbl before you buy check out the chamber carefully even with a flashlight and magnafier to make sure the throat area if finished straight. Mine was bored off center and I had to send it back for a replacement. It's pretty easy to spot, just rotate the bbl while looking through the chamber end and see if the chamber/throat and bore all rotate evenly. If not ask for another one. If you have to order like I do just check it out when ya get it.

[smoky]

I noticed where Graf n Sons had a 12" blued 7-08 listed in the sale portion of their catalog for $169.  Good Price if you decide to go with the 12 incher.  By the way, I am waiting on my purchase of a 11" 7mm BR encore barrel to arrive.  I understand its a real shooter and is great on deer out to 250 yards.

Smoky

[oldhunter]

Mawgie----I also live in Upstate New York (Cattaraugus County) and went through the same thing last year you are now experiencing.  After hunting deer my entire life with a shotgun, I commited to handgun hunting.

I have had a pistol permit for many years and didn't have to go through the application process that you are now working on.  I only tried to shoot a doe once with my .357mag (got her, but thats another story).   I did a lot of research into what I thought would serve me best.

I ended up buying a TC Encore in 7mm-08 with a 15" barrel and have never regretted it.  Put a decent scope on it,  bought three different brands of ammo and went to work at the range.  Don't reload so can only tell you that of the three, none was much different than the other in accuracy.

Tried Remington 140 grn. Core-Lokt,  Winchester 140 grn. Power Point, and Hornady Light Magnum 139 grn. BTSP.  With these old eyes, all would group within 2" at 100 yards using a bench rest.  With home made shooting sticks, the group expanded to 2.75".  Decided on Hornady as they quote 3,000 fps vs. Rem. 2,860 & Win. 2,800.  Figured I lost enough velocity with a 15" barrel and if Hornady shot as well as the other two, I could use the extra speed and energy that their shell would provide.

With the 15" non-ported barrel, the recoil is very manageable and not any louder than my 12 gauge was with a 20" barrel.  Did use hearing protection while practicing but find this difficult when in the woods.

There are many types of slings and holsters available that will assist in carrying the pistol to your treestand.  The 7mm-08 is an excellent caliber and TC Encore is the best available.  Since last season, I have spent more time on the range and improved my accuracy to the extent that I can keep my 3 shot groups at 1.5".   At my age of 60 and using factory ammo, I figure any deer within 200 yards is mine.  Someone that reloads and can see better could improve these statistics.

My opinion is go for the 15'' barrel and enjoy less recoil and noise while increasing the velocity to a higher level to achieve the best performance that the bullet can provide.           Good luck and good hunting!!!!